267 The Nectar of Devotion

ecstatic love due to natural affection for Krsna.

It may be questioned why devotees of Krsna should be attacked by
dizziness, which is usually considered a sign of the modes of igno-
rance. To answer this question, Sti Jiva Gosvami has said that the
devotees of Lord Krsna are always transcendental to all the modes of
material nature; when they feel dizziness or go to sleep, they are not
considered to be sleeping under the modes of nature, but are ac-
cepted as being in a trance of devotional service. There is an authori-
tative statement in the Garuda Purana about mystic yogis who are
under the direct shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: “In
all three stages of their consciousness—namely, wakefulness, dreaming
and deep sleep—the devotees are absorbed in the thought of the Su-
preme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, in their complete absorp-
tion in the thought of Krsna, they do not sleep.”

Alertness

A devotee once stated, “I have already conquered the modes of ig-
norance, and | am now on the platform of transcendental knowledge.
Therefore I shall be engaged only in searching after the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.” This is an instance of alertness in ecstatic
love. Transcendental alertness is possible when the illusory condition
is completely overcome. At that stage, when in contact with any re-
action of material elements, such as sound, smell, touch or taste, the
devotee realizes the transcendental presence of the Supreme Person-
ality of Godhead. In this condition the ecstatic symptoms (i.e. stand-
ing of the hair on the body, rolling of the eyeballs and getting up
from sleep) are persistently visible.

When Srimati Radharani first saw Krsna, She suddenly became
conscious of all transcendental happiness, and the functions of Her
different limbs were stunned. When Lalita, Her constant companion,
whispered into Her ear the holy name of Krsna, Radharani imme-
diately opened Her eyes wide. This is an instance of alertness caused
by hearing the sound of Krsna’s name.

One day, in a joking mood, Krsna informed Radharani, “My dear
Radharani, I am going to give up Your company.” Upon saying this,
